East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes. Maugham William Somerset
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a very happy married life.
George. Poor thing. I think I'd take a small bet that you won't beat her.
Harry. I mean to try my best to make her happy.
George. You old fool, I've never known a man who was likely to make a better husband.
Harry. I'm most awfully in love with her, George.
George. Isn't that ripping? How old is she?
Harry. Only twenty-two. She's the loveliest thing you ever saw.
George. And is she in love with you?
Harry. She says so.
George. She damned well ought to be.
Harry. I do hope you'll like her, George.
George. Of course I shall. You're not the sort of chap to fall in love with a woman who isn't nice.
[Harry walks up and down for a moment restlessly.
Harry. Will you have a whisky and soda?
George. No, thanks … I'll wait for tea.
Harry. She ought to be here in a moment. [Suddenly making up his mind.] It's no good beating about the bush. I may as well tell you at once. Her – her mother was Chinese.
George. [Unable to conceal his dismay.] Oh, Harry. [A pause.] I wish I hadn't said all that I did just now.
Harry. Of course you didn't know.
George. [Gravely.] I should have had to say something very like it, Harry. But I shouldn't have put it so bluntly.
Harry. You said yourself there were exceptions.
George. I know. [Distressed.] Won't your people be rather upset?
Harry. I don't see how it can matter to them. They're nine thousand miles away.
George. Who was her father?
Harry. Oh, he was a merchant. He's dead. And her mother is too.
George. That's something. I don't think you'd much like having a Chinese mother-in-law about the place.
Harry. George, you won't let it make any difference, will you? We've known one another all our lives.
George. My dear old chap, as far as I'm concerned I shouldn't care if you married the first cousin of the Ace of Spades. I don't want you to make a hash of things.
Harry. Wait till you see her. She's the most fascinating thing you ever met.
George. Yes, they can be charming. I was awfully in love with a half – with a Eurasian girl myself years ago. It was before you came out to the country. I wanted to marry her.
Harry. Why didn't you?
George. It was up in Chung-king. I'd just been appointed vice-consul. I was only twenty-three. The Minister wired from Peking that I'd have to resign if I did. I hadn't a bob except my salary and they transferred me to Canton to get me away.
Harry. It's different for you. You're in the service and you may be Minister one of these days. I'm only a merchant.
George. Even for you there'll be difficulties, you know. Has it occurred to you that the white ladies won't be very nice?
Harry. I can do without their society.
George. You must know some people. It means you'll have to hobnob with Eurasian clerks and their wives. I'm afraid you'll find it pretty rotten.
Harry. If you'll stick to me I don't care.
George. I suppose you've absolutely made up your mind?
Harry. Absolutely.
George. In that case I've got nothing more to say. You can't expect me not to be a little disappointed, but after all the chief thing is your happiness, and whatever I can do I will. You can put your shirt on that.
Harry. You're a brick, George.
George. The little lady ought to be here, oughtn't she?
Harry. I think I hear her on the stairs.
[He goes to the entrance and then out. Wu brings in the tea and sets it on the table. George walks over to the parapet and looks thoughtfully before him. There is a sound of voices in the adjoining room.
Harry. [Outside.] Come in; he's on the verandah.
Daisy. [Outside.] One brief look in the glass and then I'm ready.
[Harry enters.
Harry. She's just coming.
George. I bet she's powdering her nose.
Daisy. Here I am.
[Daisy enters. She is an extremely pretty woman, beautifully, perhaps a little showily, dressed. She has a pale, very clear, slightly sallow skin, and beautiful dark eyes. There is only the very faintest suspicion in them of the Chinese slant. Her hair is abundant and black.
Harry. This is George Conway, Daisy.
[George stares at her. At first he is not quite sure that he recognizes her, then suddenly he does, but only the slightest movement of the eyes betrays him.
Daisy. How do you do. I told Harry I had an idea I must have met you somewhere. I don't think I have after all.
Harry. George flatters himself he's not easily forgotten.
Daisy. But I've heard so much about you from Harry that I feel as though we were old friends.
George. It's very kind of you to say so.
Harry. Supposing you poured out the tea, Daisy.
George. I'm dying for a cup.
[She sits down and proceeds to do so.
Daisy. Harry is very anxious that you should like me.
Harry. George and I have known one another since we were kids. His people and mine live quite close to one another at home.
Daisy. But I'm not blaming you. I'm only wondering how I shall ingratiate myself with him.
Harry. He looks rather severe, but he isn't really. I think you've only got to be your natural charming self.
Daisy. Have you told him about the house?
Harry. No. [To George.] You know the temple the Harrisons used to have. We've taken that.
George. Oh, it's a ripping place. But won't you find it rather a nuisance to have those old monks on the top of you all the time?
Harry. Oh, I don't think so. Our part is quite separate, you know, and the Harrisons made it very comfortable.
[Harold Knox comes in. He has changed into tennis things.
Knox. I say, Harry … [He sees Daisy.] Oh, I beg your pardon.
Harry. Mr. Knox – Mrs. Rathbone.
[Knox gives her a curt nod, but she holds out her hand affably. He takes it.
Daisy. How do you do.
Knox. I'm sorry to disturb you, Harry, but old Ku Faung Min is downstairs and wants to see you.
Harry. Tell him to go to blazes. The office is closed.
Knox. He's going to Hankow to-night and he says he must see you before he goes. He's got some big order to give.
Harry. Oh, curse him. I know what he is. He'll keep me talking for half an hour. D'you mind if I leave you?
Daisy. Of course not. It'll give me a chance of making Mr. Conway's acquaintance.
Harry. I'll get rid of him as quickly as I can.
[He goes out accompanied by Knox.
Knox. [As he goes.] Good-bye.
[George looks at Daisy for a moment. She smiles at him. There is a silence.
George. Why didn't you warn me that it was you I was going to meet?
Daisy.